The courtyard shimmered with lights strung like fireflies between mango trees. Laughter rang, soft music threaded through the night, and gold-trimmed saris shimmered as the Roy haveli played gracious host to the Sharma-Roy alliance party.

Aradhya smiled. Perfectly. Politely. Her hands were steady as she held her glass, her sari pleated just so, her jewelry glinting against her collarbone. She stood beside Siddharth, his arm brushing hers, his presence grounding her like a steel rod down her spine.